Packing for fragile articles



June 10, 1958 R. L. EMERY' 2,338,173

PACKING FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed May 2, 1955 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

RICHARD L. EMERY BYCWWM? H/S ATTORNEYS June 10,1958 7 R. L. EMERY 2,838,173

PACKING FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed May 2, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

RICHARD L EMERY HIS ATTORNEYS June 10, 1958 R. L. EMERY 2,838,173

PACKING FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed May 2, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

RICHARD L. EME'RY HIS ATTORNEYS June 10, 1958 R. L EMERY 2,838,173

PACKING FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES I Filed May 2, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

RICHARD L. EMERY I v B M HIS ATTORNEYS June 10, 1958 R. L. EMERY 2,838,173

PACKING FOR FRAGILE ARTICLES Filed May 2, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VEN TOR.

RICHARD 1.. EMERY HIS A TTORNEKS' United States Patent 2,sss,17s

PACKING r011 FRAGILE ARTICLES Richard L. Emery, Fairfield, Maine, assignor to Keyes Fibre Company, Portland, Maine, a corporation of Maine Application May 2, 1955, Serial No. 505,201

8 Claims. (Cl. 206,-65)

This invention relates to packing material for protecting elongated fragile articles against damage in storage or in transit. The invention particularly relates to packing material which is adapted to protect glass tubes such as fluorescent light tubes or the like.

It is the general practice in packing fluorescent tubes or the like to pack such tubes in superimposed layers within a shipping case. The layers of tubes must be so arranged that they are cushioned against contact with each other both vertically and horizontally, since such contact would cause an undue amount of breakage.

Such tubes have heretoforebeen packed by spacing each layer of tubes from the adjacent layers by means of molded pulp filler sheets wherein the filler sheets also act to space the tubes in each layer laterally from each other. One example of such prior packing means is illustrated in Patent No. 2,564,729, dated August 21, 1951. The teaching of this patent, provides that each layer of tubes be provided at each end with ,a three sided packing unit comprising a molded pulp sheet, one section of which extends. under the layer of tubes and the other section of which extends over the layer of tubes, with each section being integrally and hingedly connected with the other section adjacent the end of the layer oftubes. In order to accommodate the contact pins of the tubes which extend from the ends thereof, outwardly extending pockets must be provided in the hinged area. This hinged and pocketed structure necessitates the use of complex dies for its manufacture in additionto requiring an accurate alignment of the contact pins with the pockets during packing. However, this packing means has certain defects inherent therein which add to the time and expense required for the packing operation.

Among the disadvantages of the prior packing means, as exemplified by the above noted patent, is the fact that this arrangement is unsuitable for automatic packing I since it requires the specific arrangement of the various portions of the tubes within specific sections of the packing material so that when one section is overfolded on the other, the ends of the tubes are in exact alignment with the pockets in the hinged area. It furthermore, requires a separate folding operation. v

The present invention eliminates the above as well as other disadvantages of the prior packing devices by forming the packing means of two separate sheets of molded pulp, each sheet being of the same construction, so that when one is reversed relative to the other, it is complementary thereto. One of these sheets is provided below the layer of tubes and the other is reversed and set above the layer of tubes, the construction of the sheet being such that when oneis reversed relative to q the other a plurality of pockets are formed to encase the tube ends and, in addition, a cylindrical guard portion is formed which is adapted to encase the contact pins on the ends of the tubes. Such packing construction is provided at either end of the tube layers, while, if desired, an additional packing sheet construction isprovided to ice encompass the center portion of each layer of tubes. This center packing sheet construction comprises two complementary sheets similar to those used atthe end portions of the layers but which do not include the projections for forming the cylindrical guard members.

From the above it can easily be seen that instead of it being necessary to engage each tube within its pocket in the end packing sheet structure and then to overfold one section of the sheet upon the other, as in the prior art, in the present invention, it is merely necessary to insert one sheet below the layer of tubes, as the layer moves along a conveyor belt or the like, and then to place a similar sheet, but reversed, above the layer as it moves past a second station along the conveyor path. This is a simple operation which can be automatically performed by a relatively simple machine structure. It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a method of packing fragile, elongated articles which is simple and inexpensive.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packing means for fragile, elongated articles which is simple, yet sturdy in construction, and which gives ample protection for the packed articles.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view partly broken away, showing a conventional shipping case containing a complement of fluorescent light tubes packed in superimposed layers by means of packing sheets embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a packing sheet embodying the invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line. 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view showing a pair of sheets embodying the invention in complementary position wherein they encase an end portion of a tube layer.

' Fig. 5 is a view, similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modified form of packing arrangement.

' Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig.5.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view, similar to Fig. 4, but showing the modified arrangement.

Referring now in greater detail to the figures of the drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, Fig. l'illustrates a packing case 10 coinprising a bottom wall 12, a pair of side walls 14, a pair of end walls 16, and a hinged lid construction, 18. The packing case 10 may be made of any desirable material such as wood, molded pulp, one of the various synthetic resins, or similar material.

Within the case, a plurality of fluorescent tubes 2 01 Three are arranged in a series of superimposed layers. such layers are illustrated in the drawings, but it is obvious that the number of layers may vary with the size of the case.

Each layer of tubes 20 is separated fromthe next adjacent layer by an arrangement of packing sheets 22,

each of these sheets 22 being made of molded-pulp manotches 32 are formed in this flange. These notches 32 not only act to strengthen this rear wall flangein a similar manner to notches 30, but also perform a positive packing function which will become .fully apparent as the description proceeds. V

The bottom wall 24 of the sheet is provided with a plurality of laterally spaced, elongated ribs 34 which extend from a position adjacent .the slightly raised marginal portion 36 of the open front .end of the sheet 22 to the rear wall 28. The integral connection between each of the ribs 34 and the wall 28 .is between each adjacent pair of notches 32. A pair of notches 38 are provided in spaced relationship on each rib 34, as best seen in Fig. .2. These notches 38, which are somewhat olfset from the horizontal planes of the notches 30 in the side walls, are also provided for strengthening purposes; and the fact that they aresomewhat ofiset from the peripheral notches 30 as well as from the notches 32- in the rear wall provide a staggered arrangement which prevents the formationof lines of'weakness.

Between the ribs 34, the bottom wall 24 .is provided with a number of elongated projetcions. There are a plurality of such projections in the space or pocket between each pair of adjacent ribs 34 as well as between the outermost ribs and the adjacent side walls 26. The projections in each space or pocket comprise a center projection 41), a smaller projection 42 adjacent the rear wall, and a projection 44 which blends into the raised front marginal portion 36. The projections 40, 42 and 44 are longitudinally spaced from each other bydepressions 46 which are on the same level as the portion of the bottom wall defining the side edges of the projections and indicated at 48.

Referring to Figs. land 3, the shipping case is shown filled with a complement of tubes 20. The tubes in each layer'are supported at their opposite ends by vertical stacks of packing sheets 22, whereinfor each layer, one sheet 22 is arranged under the tubes with its walls 26 and 28 and its ribs and projections extending upwardly, while a second sheet 22 is arrangedover the tubes in a position reversed relative to the first ,sheet. By means of this arrangement, each tube in ta layer is spaced laterally from the adjacent tubes in the layer by the ribs 34, the edges of the upwardly extending ribs on the lower sheet contacting the edges of the downwardly extending ribs on the upper layer to form an elongated pocket for each'tube, as best shown inFig. 3.

' These ribs 34 additionally .act .as vertical cushioning means whereby the top and bottom ribs extending from one layer abut against the'opposing ribs on the adjacent layers, as best shown in Fig. 3. The tubes, themselves, also as shown in Fig. 3, are maintained infirm vertical position by the cushioning projections 40, 42 and 44 extending from the inner surfaces of the opposing sheets.

As seen in 'Fig. 1 the open front ends of the sheets, when reversed relative to each other, provide an opening at the front ends of the pockets formed by the ribs.34 to permit the insertion of the tubes. At the rear ends of these pockets, however, the walls 28 meet to form a closure, except for the arcuate notches 32. "These notches 32 form a cylindrical, open-ended housing for I protectively enclosing the contact pins 50 which extend from each tube 20. .They are, in effect, guard rims.

Intermediate the ends of the tubes, there are provided packing sheets 52 arranged in stacks of reversed pairs, similarly to sheets 22 at the ends of the tubes. These sheets 52 are similar to sheets 22 in that they comprise a plurality of elongated ribs 54 laterally spaced from each other'by indentations having spaced projections '56, 58 and 60 therein; these projections forming indentations. on the reverse side of the sheet, as shown in Fig. 1. Notches 62 are provided inthe laterally extending flanges '64 of theside'walls 66 of each sheet 52. Notches, not shown, similar to notches'38 insheet 22 arealso provided in the ribs 54. However, the sheets 22 differ from theend sheets '22 in that they do not have a rear 'wall and do not have any such arcuate notches as are found at 32 4 in the sheets 22. The sheets 52 are open at both front and rear to permit the passage therethrough of the tubes 20. Q

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 is shown an alternate arrangement of packing the tubes wherein, instead of using two complementary packing sheets for each layer of tubes, only one packing sheet is used. More specifically, there is illustrated a packing case 100, similar to packing case 10, and having a bottom wall 112, a pair of side walls 114, a pairof end walls 116, and a hinged lid construction 118. This case may be made of the same material as the packing case 10.

Within the case 100, there are provided a plurality of superimposed layers of laterally arranged fluorescent tubes these layers of tubes, however, instead of being separated from each other by a complementary pair of packing sheets enclosing the corresponding portions of the tubes in each layer, are separated by only one packing sheet at each end and at the center. The-end packing sheets 122 are identical with the packing sheets 22 while the center packing sheets 124 are identical with packing sheets 52. The sheets 122 and 124 are arranged only underneath each layer of tubes so that the tubes are nested within the pockets formed by the ribs 126 andare cushioned by the projections 128 similar to projections 40, 42 and 44 shown in Fig. 2. Above each under-layer are positioned similar packing sheets 122 and 124, arranged in the same manner as the lower sheets, so that the bottom wall of each upper sheet rests directly on the tubes of the next lower layer while the next upper layer of tubes is arragned within the pockets formed by the ribs 126 of the sheets.

By the arrangement shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, only about half the number of packing sheets are required as are required in the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. Furthermore, the packing is even simpler since there is no necessity for reversing each alternate sheet. As a result, this type of packing arrangement is extremely well adapted to the use of automatic packaging machinery. However, as is apparent, the protection afforded by this packing arrangementis not quite as good as in the previously described arrangement. Whether one or the other arrangement is to be used would depend on the amount of protection required versus the need for keeping the cost of the articles at a minimum while providing sufficient protection for most purposes.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed in this invention is:

1. A molded pulp packing device for elongated articlescomprising a sheet having a bottom wall, a pair of side wallsand a rear wall, said rear wall being rigidly connected to one edge of said bottom wall and to said side walls, a plurality of elongated ribs extending upwardly from saidrbottorn wall and spaced laterally from each other, said ribs being of a height equal to the height of said rear wall and being spaced from and parallel with said side walls, said ribs being each connected, at one end, to said rear wall and extending to a common plane adjacent the front edge of said sheet, a lateral flange extending outwardly from said rear wall, a series of arcuate notches in said lateral flange, each of said arcuate notches extending completely from one side to the other of said lateral flange and being positioned between each pair of adjacent ribs as well as between each of the side walls and the ribsadjacent thereto, and a plurality of'spaced notches in each of said ribs and in each of said side walls, the notches in said ribs being offset relativeto the notches in said side walls. I

2. The 'device'of claim 1 wherein the front edge of said sheetis positioned in a plane intermediate the plane of'said bottom wall and the top plane of said ribs, and

at least one projection in each of the spaces laterally adjacent the ribs, said projection being in the same intermediate plane as said front edge.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein there are a plurality of longitudinally spaced projections in each of said spaces.

4. A shipping package comprising a case and a plurality of vertical layers, each layer consisting of molded pulp packing sheets supporting elongated articles, said packing sheets being arranged in two stacks With one stack positioned at one end of said case and the other stack at the opposite end of the case, each packing sheet in said stacks comprising a sheet having a bottom wall, a pair of side walls and a rear wall, said rear wall being rigidly connected to one edge of said bottom wall and to said side walls, a plurality of elongated ribs extending upwardly from said bottom wall and spaced laterally from each other, said ribs being of a height equal to the height of said rear wall and being spaced from and parallel with said side walls, said ribs being each connected, at one end, to said rear wall and extending to a common plane adjacent the front edge of said sheet, a lateral flange extending outwardly from said rear wall, a series of arcuate notches in said lateral flange, each of said arcuate notches extending completely from one side to the other of said lateral flange and being positioned between each pair of adjacent ribs as well as between each of the side walls and the ribs adjacent thereto, and a plurality of spaced notches in each of said ribs and in each of said side walls, the notches in said ribs being olfset relative to the notches in said side walls, and said elongated articles in each layer being laterally arranged relative to each other and extending between corresponding packing sheets in the two oppositely disposed stacks with the ends of said articles positioned within corresponding arcuate notches on the lateral flanges of their corresponding packing sheets.

5. The package of claim 4 wherein the spaces between said laterally spaced ribs are provided with at least one projection extending to a height intermediate the bottom wall of said sheet and the upper plane of said ribs.

6. The package of claim 4 wherein said elongated articles are fluorescent tubes having contact pins at their ends.

7. The package of claim 4 wherein each stack of molded pulp packing sheets comprises a plurality of vertically arranged pairs of relatively reversed packing sheets, each of said pairs of packing sheets encompassing the corresponding end portions of the articles in one layer.

8. The package of claim 4 wherein each stack of molded pulp packing sheets comprises a plurality of vertically arranged single packing sheets wherein all of the packing sheets are arranged in substantially identical positions relative to each other, and wherein each packing sheet partially encloses the corresponding end portions of the articles in one layer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 142,129 Shepard Aug. 14, 1945 1,960,279 Read May 29, 1934 2,564,729 Shepard Aug. 21, 1951 2,568,769 Shepard Sept. 25, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 941,229 France July 5, 1948 

